Enhancing cutaneous delivery with laser technology: Almost there, but not yet

• Published in: Journal of controlled release 2019-12, Vol.315, p.150-165
• Main Authors: del Río-Sancho, Sergio, Castro-López, Vanessa, Alonso, María José
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: CO2 laser; Direct ablation; Er:YAG laser; Mechanical waves; Medical lasers; Photothermolysis
• ISSN: 0168-3659; 1873-4995
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2019.09.014

[Display omitted] •The use of laser technology is well-established in medical practice.•Ablative lasers show potential for delivering biologics in preclinical research.•Clinical trials with ablative lasers focus on the delivery of small molecules.•The value of pressure wave-assisted cutaneous drug delivery has been underestimated.•New laser devices will revolutionize cutaneous drug delivery in the near future. Preclinical research has shown the potential of different laser-based strategies (direct ablation, photothermolysis and mechanical waves) to overcome the stratum corneum and facilitate the cutaneous delivery of drugs. However, specific protocols for the routine use of these strategies have not been stablished yet. The aim of this review has been to provide the readers with a view of the translational prospects of the different laser technologies with regards to their utility for enhancing the penetration of drugs. For this, we have comparatively analyzed the preclinical research disclosed for laser-assisted delivery of classical small molecules as well as new biologics with the studies performed at the clinical level. In addition, we present the future perspectives of laser technological developments considering the evolution of the global laser market.